Grilled Cornish Hens

Cornish Hens vs. Chicken

You might be wondering if Cornish hens are a specialty breed or if they are just tiny chickens. Well, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says a Cornish hen is simply a small chicken harvested for consumption at less than five weeks of age. It can be male or female and doesn’t have to be any particular breed as long as it weighs less than two pounds.

So, if they’re just small chickens, what makes them special? If you’ve tried a Cornish hen, you know they’re extra tender and taste slightly sweet because of being harvested at such a young age. Another benefit to their small size? You can really appreciate the flavors from any marinades you use on them since there is so much more surface area relative to their size. 

Recipe Ingredients

• Cornish Hens – I usually put 3-4 Rock Cornish hens on the grill to feed my family. But feel free to double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd. Plan on one bird per person, although kids might only eat half a bird.
• Marinade Ingredients – My homemade marinade includes olive oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, fresh thyme and parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and some S&P. But you can always use a store-bought marinade in a pinch. 😅

How to Grill Cornish Game Hens on a Gas or Charcoal Grill

Marinate the Cornish Hens

1. Prep – Remove Cornish hens from their packaging, rinse them, and pat them dry with paper towels. If desired, split the hens in half before seasoning. I cut the chicken after marinating, but there’s no wrong or right way of doing this. 
2. Season each Cornish hen with salt and pepper and place them in a large bowl or ZipLock bag.
3. Marinade – Next, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk the olive oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, thyme, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. 
4. Marinate – Pour the marinade over the Cornish hens and thoroughly mix to coat every inch of the birds. Let the hens marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. The longer, the better for the marinade to infuse the hens. 
5. Ready to Grill – When ready to go, remove the Cornish hens from the marinade, shake off excess particles, and discard the remaining marinade. 

Grill the Hens

6. Preheat the grill to medium-high (375-400°F/190-204°C). 
7. Grill – Place the Cornish hens on the preheated grill grates. Cook for 5 minutes per side – long enough for it to char without burning. 
8. Reduce the temperature to medium heat 350°F (180℃) and continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. It usually takes 30 minutes or more. 
9. Rest – Remove the hens from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Then, enjoy your delicious grilled Cornish hens!

Recipe Variations

• Customize the seasonings. You can add more herbs and spices or omit any I’ve included here. You could also use your favorite spice blends or any pre-made marinade you love.
• Stuff ’em! Skip cutting the hens and instead add your favorite stuffing to the cavity before grilling. They’ll take a little longer to cook. Just make sure they reach an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) and the stuffing cooks through.
• Full-sized chicken. This recipe works for regular chicken, too. Just be prepared to let a full-size chicken cook on the grill for quite a bit longer. Use your meat thermometer to make sure it reaches the internal temp of 165°F (74°C), just like the Cornish hens.
• Roasted Cornish hens. In case you have no grill or it’s raining, add just a touch of Liquid Smoke to the marinade for the smokiness the grill would provide. Leave them whole, and pop them in a 400°F (205℃) oven for 50-60 minutes or until they get to the internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips and Tricks

• Refrain from moving or flipping the hens during the first 5 minutes of grilling. That ensures the chicken has good sear and grill marks. 💯
• Maintain a medium heat on the grill to avoid burning. Cornish hens are small and can cook quickly.
• Use an instant-read thermometer for best results. The hens’ internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. A meat thermometer will help you achieve a perfectly cooked bird that isn’t overcooked or undercooked. 

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can season your Cornish hens up to 24 hours before grilling. You can also keep grilled Cornish hens in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months and reheat before serving them. 👌

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve smoked Cornish hens just after they’ve rested.

If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 3-5 days. You can use the microwave, oven, or grill to reheat them. In the oven or grill, reheat the hens at a low temperature until just warmed through so as not to dry them out.

What Goes With Grilled Cornish Hens

Try making your whole meal on the grill for easy cooking and clean-up. Grill Cornish hens with a side of grilled acorn squash and tender grilled zucchini.

To serve something carby, try grilled potato wedges, too. For dessert? Grilled pineapple topped with a scoop of melty vanilla ice cream. 🤤

More Palate-Pleasing Poultry Recipes to Try

• Smoked Cornish Hens
• Pellet Grilled Chicken Wings
• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
• Smoked Turkey Wings